Brushead magazine for toothbrushes

ABSTRACT

Brushhead magazine for receiving a number of brushheads (22), comprising a plurality of containers, which lie parallel alongside one another in mutual separation, in each case fully enclose a brushhead (22) and the height of which is dimensioned to correspond approximately to the width of a brush base (26) of each brushhead (22), a coupling end of the brushheads (22) in each case facing towards the container opening (30). A wall exhibits, in the area of each container opening (30), a closing flap (32) made from dimensionally stable material, which closing flap is defined by a target rupture line (36) and a hinge (40), formed by an attenuation line (38). The closing flap (32), as its target rupture line (36) is destroyed, can be pivoted by means of the coupling end of a brush handle about the hinge (40) into an open position in the interior of the assigned container. In each container there is disposed a locking device, by means of which the closing flap (32) can be locked in its open position. The magazine offers an aesthetically appealing appearance, even once the closing flaps (32) are opened, and is economical to produce and convenient to handle.

This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 08/013,274, filed Feb.4, 1993, now abandoned, which hereby incorporates all such matter setforth in all patent applications by reference.

The invention relates to a brushhead magazine for receiving a number ofbrushheads, comprising a plurality of containers, which lie parallelalongside one another in mutual separation, in each case fully enclose abrushhead and the height of which is dimensioned to correspondapproximately to the width of a brush base of each brushhead, a couplingend of the brushheads in each case facing towards the container opening,which is closed by a wall of packing material which can be opened by athrust movement of the coupling end of a brush handle for attaching thebrushhead to the brush handle.

A magazine of this type is known from EP 0 326 363 A1. It comprises aseries of interconnected, simple plastic containers for, in each case,one brushhead. The opening of each container is closed off by a plasticfilm. The plastic film exhibits two intersecting target rupture lines,which tear open when the plastic film is destroyed by the coupling endof the brush handle. Following the subsequent coupling of the brushhandle to the brushhead, the complete toothbrush is pulled out of thecontainer and is available for cleaning the teeth. Following the removalof a brushhead from the brush magazine, the irregular borders of thepierced sealing film make an unattractive sight. This appearance givenby opened containers of the magazine is a considerable obstacle to theacceptability of a brushhead magazine of this type, especially sincesuch brushhead magazines generally are or should be fitted, inconjunction with the toothbrush which is to be used several times a day,at an easily visible location.

The object of the invention is to design the brushhead magazine of theknown type stated in the introduction, such that it is convenient touse, can be economically produced and, even during use, i.e. when someof the brushheads have already been removed, makes an aestheticallypleasing impression which enhances the acceptability of the brushheadmagazine.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the fact that thewall exhibits, in the area of each container opening, a closing flapmade from essentially dimensionally stable material, which closing flapis defined by a target rupture line and a hinge, formed by anattenuation line, in the dimensionally stable material, that the closingflap, as its target rupture line is destroyed, can be pivoted by meansof the coupling end of the brush handle about the hinge into an openposition in the interior of the assigned container, and that in eachcontainer there is disposed a locking device, by means of which theclosing flap can be locked in its open position.

The effect of this is that each closing flap, following the opening ofan associated container, is secured in a clearly defined open position,so that all opened containers of the brushhead magazine, after abrushhead has been removed, make the same aesthetically pleasing, cleanand tidy impression.

The locking device can comprise a latch boss, which projects into theswivel area of the closing flap in such a way that the closing flap,when subjected to pressure, is able, in undergoing elastic deformation,to under-grip the latch boss in a latching engagement. Expediently, eachlatch boss is disposed above the associated container base at a heightwhich is dimensioned to correspond approximately to the width of thelongitudinal border, jutting laterally over the bristle zone of thebrushhead, of the brush base. In order to ensure satisfactorypositioning and guidance of the brushhead as it is removed from acontainer of the magazine, it is advisable also to dispose on the topside of each container a second guide rib, which projects downwards in acommon vertical plane at a height which is also dimensioned tocorrespond approximately to the width of the longitudinal border,jutting laterally over the bristle zone, of the brush base. Since thebrush neck connecting the brushhead to the brush handle exhibits across-section which, in the direction of the plane of the brush base ofthe brushhead, is dimensioned smaller than the width of the brush base,the effect, by virtue of the projecting shape of the brushhead magazineaccording to the invention, is that the closing flap pushed open bymeans of the brush handle, following the coupling of the brush handle tothe brushhead and upon the latter's removal through the longitudinalborder, sliding along the container base, of the brush base, undergripsthe latch boss in a latching engagement, in undergoing elasticdeformation, and is thereby locked in its open position. Although aclosing flap, after it has been pushed open, can be forced by means ofthe brush handle into the locked engagement position of the latch bossbefore the brush handle is firmly connected to the brushhead in thecontainer in question by creation of the coupling connection between thetwo parts, it is clear that the locking of the closing flap according tothe invention ensures the automatic locking of the closing flap whenevera brushhead coupled to a brush handle is removed.

Advantageously, the containers for the brushheads are a uniformcomponent part of a plastic cassette which can be manufactured by theinjection moulding process. The cassette can contain, for example, twocontainers, the height of which corresponds approximately to the widthof a brushhead base and which exhibit a rectangular profile and are ineach case separated from one other by an interspace. In order tofacilitate the removal of the brushheads, the removal openings of thecontainers are disposed at a distance above the magazine base, thecontainers extending obliquely backwards and downwards in the directionof the magazine base. Preferably, a rear end section of the containerbases extends parallel to the magazine base. The magazine base itselfpreferably comprises the section of a dimensionally stable cardboardbox, exhibiting a certain elasticity, onto which the magazine is stuckby its underside. Moreover, a further section of the cardboard box iswrapped around the lower edge of the front side of the cassette on thecassette's front side and stuck to the front borders of the containeropenings. A fold in the cardboard box jutting over the top side isinserted into a transverse joint provided on the top side, the depth ofwhich joint corresponds to the thickness of the cardboard box, and isstuck in place there, so that this fold lies flush with the top side ofthe cassette. A further fold is folded from the front wall over onto aside wall of the cassette and is fastened in place there.

The invention further relates to a process for opening a container,containing a brushhead for a toothbrush, of a brushhead magazine, bymeans of a toothbrush handle which can be coupled to the brushhead, awall covering the opening of each brushhead container being able to bepenetrated by the front coupling end of the brush handle, which couplingend is dimensioned in cross-section smaller than the width of the brushbase, and the toothbrush being able to be completed by the interlockingof the coupling ends of the brush handle and of the brushhead, and thebrushhead being able to be removed from the container. The inventionimproves upon this process by virtue of the fact that a closing flapcovering each container opening and made from relatively inflexiblematerial, which closing flap is defined by target rupture lines and ahinge formed by an attenuation line, is pivoted, as the target ruptureline is destroyed, by means of the front coupling end of the brushhandle about the hinge in the direction of a stop boss and latch boss inthe interior of the container and the coupling end of the brush handleis coupled to the corresponding coupling end of the brushhead, thebrushhead, when pulled out of the container by means of the brushhandle, strikes, with a surface extending from the brush neck into thelongitudinal edge of the brush base, against the free edge of theclosing flap situated above the latch boss and forces the closing flap,by virtue of latching action and bending-elastic deformation, under thelatch boss, in order for the closing flap to be locked by means of thelatch boss in its open position.

The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to thediagrammatic drawings of an illustrative embodiment, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a brushhead magazine in perspective view, having afastening tab projecting over a side wall;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the brushhead magazine, a container of thesaid magazine containing a brushhead;

FIG. 3 shows a view of the front side of the magazine according to arrowA in FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the container in FIG. 2containing the brushhead, according to the line of intersection IV--IV,a closing flap being shown in a half-opened state;

FIG. 5 shows a section as in FIG. 4, the closing flap also being shownin the locking position;

FIG. 6 shows a cassette constituting the basic component part of thebrushhead magazine, in a perspective view from the front top left;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the cassette in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal section of the cassette according to theline VIII--VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of the cassette according to the line ofintersection IX--IX in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 shows, in perspective representation, a cardboard section, whichessentially forms the front wall and the base of the magazine.

In FIGS. 1 to 5, a brushhead magazine 20 is shown, which is composed ofa cassette 70 and a cardboard section 62 made from essentiallydimensionally stable material 34. The cassette 70 can be seen in moredetail in FIGS. 6 to 9 and the cardboard section 62 in FIG. 10.

The cassette 70 consists of transparent plastic and is configureduniformly by the injection moulding process with two containers 24, 25for holding one (non-represented) brushhead each. The containers 24, 25are interconnected by a cover wall 78 of the cassette 70, whichaccordingly forms the top side of the brushhead magazine 20. The coverwall 78 also forms the top side of the containers 24, 25 and slopes downobliquely to the rear; it merges via a curved edge into a vertical rearwall 76. In FIG. 1, an upper guide rib 60 in the container 24 and aguide rib 61 in the container 25 can also respectively be seen, to whichribs reference is made below. It can further be seen that twoneighbouring side walls 58, 59 of the containers 24, 25 are disposed ata distance D₁ parallel to each other. A side wall 68 of the cassette 70is simultaneously the outer side wall of the container 24 and of thebrushhead magazine 20. A side wall 74, facing the side wall 68, of thecassette 70 is also, by contrast, disposed at the same distance D₁ froma neighbouring side wall 69 of the container 25. The cardboard section62 (FIG. 10) forming a base 66 of the brushhead magazine 20 projectsbeyond the side wall 74 and forms a fastening tab 86, in which fasteningholes 87 are provided. By means of this fastening tab 86, the brushheadmagazine 20 can be detachably fastened to a wall or to a holder (notrepresented) provided for one or more toothbrushes. In addition, themagazine base 66 can also be provided with a layer of bonding adhesive(not shown), which is provided with a tear-off protective layer, so thatthe brushhead magazine 20 can also be fitted by adhesion directly to awall. A fold 88 in the cardboard section 62 is folded over onto thecover wall 78 of a front wall 64.

FIG. 2 provides a better view of the front wall 64 of the magazine 20,which wall contains a closing flap 32 in the area of each containeropening 30. Each closing flap 32 is defined by a target rupture line 36and an attenuation line 38 forming a hinge 40. The top side of thetarget rupture line 36 of each closing flap 32 forms, in the centre, anobtuse angle with a vertex 35. It can additionally be seen from FIGS. 2to 4 and 10 that a lateral fold 90 in the cardboard section 62 is stuckonto the side wall 68 of the cassette 70 facing away from the fasteningtab 86.

FIGS. 2 to 5 further show that the front wall 64 forms, with themagazine base 66, an acute angle α opening onto the rear wall 76. Thecontainer openings 30 are disposed at a distance above the magazine base66. The hinges 40 of the closing flaps 32 run parallel to the lowerfront edge 67 or to a top edge 73 of the front wall 64. The top edge 73of the front wall 64 simultaneously forms a folding edge of thecardboard section 62 for the fold 88, which is fastened by sticking in atransverse joint 82 of the cover wall 78 and lies flush with the surfaceof the cover wall 78.

As can further be seen from FIG. 4, bases 46 of the containers 24, 25run approximately parallel to the cover wall 78 and extend from a lowerborder 31 of the container openings 30 obliquely downwards towards therear wall 76, an end section 84 of the container bases 46 runningparallel to the magazine base 66 and acting as a gluing surface for thelatter. The horizontal end section 84 forms an approximate right anglewith the rear wall 78.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, a locking device 42 for the automatic locking ofthe closing flap 32 of each container 24, 25 is illustrated in the openposition shown in FIG. 5. In the embodiment represented, the lockingdevice 42 comprises a latch boss 44. This latch boss 44 projectsforwards from the upper end of a front face 56 of a first guide rib 54.The latch boss 44, as shown by FIG. 5, protrudes with its tip into theswivel area S of the free upper outer edge of the associated closingflap 32. The height of the latch boss 44 above the container base 46 isgreater than the wall thickness of the closing flap 32. The guide rib 54extends with its top edge parallel above the container base 46 at aheight which corresponds approximately to the width of a longitudinalborder 50 of a brush base 26, by which measurement this longitudinalborder 50 juts laterally over a bristle zone 48 of the brushhead base 26(FIG. 4).

On the underside of the cover wall 78, there is disposed, in the samevertical plane of the lower guide rib 54, the second guide rib 61, whichgradually rises from an upper border 33 of each container opening 30 upto a height which similarly corresponds to the height of the otherlongitudinal border 52, jutting laterally over the bristle zone 48, ofthe brush base 26 of the brushhead 22. FIG. 2 shows that the distance D₂between the guide ribs 54 and 61 running parallel to the side wall 69 ofthe container 25 (FIGS. 4 and 9) is dimensioned somewhat larger than thelargest thickness of the brush base 26. Consequently, the two guide ribs54, 61 form, with the nearest side wall 69 of the container, a guidechannel 49 for the brush base 26 and hence for the brushhead 22, whichprotrudes with its bristle zone 48 through the interspace between thetwo guide ribs 54, 61 into the larger spatial part 51 of the container25, bounded by the said guide ribs and the side wall 59. At the sametime, it can be seen that the brush base 26 reaches with a bulbousprojection 27 through the interspace between the guide ribs 54, 61.

In a manner which is known per se, the brushhead 22 is configured at itsend facing the container opening 30 as a coupling end 28, which can becoupled to a correspondingly formed coupling end of a toothbrush handle(not represented) to produce a ready-to-use toothbrush in a manner asdescribed in detail in the patent specification mentioned in theintroduction. In the present case, the special design of the coupling isnot important in this regard. The only crucial factor is that atension-resistant and pressure-resistant connection between thebrushhead and the brush handle can be created by inserting the couplingend of the brush handle into the coupling end of the brushhead 22, sothat the brushhead can be removed from the brushhead magazine by thecoupling to the brush handle and the ready-assembled toothbrush isavailable for use.

This is realised according to the invention by the fact that thecoupling end of the handle of the toothbrush is forced or pushed againsta closing flap 32 closing off the associated container, so that theessentially dimensionally stable closing flap 32 made from the cardboardmaterial 62 is swivelled inwards into the container as the targetrupture line 36 extending up to the hinge 40 is destroyed.

The coupling end of the handle is then inserted into the coupling end 28of the brushhead 22 or connected thereto in some other way to form acomplete toothbrush and subsequently removed from the associatedcontainer. Due to the natural elasticity of the relatively dimensionallystable cardboard material 62, the closing flap 32, when pushed open andswivelled inwards about its hinge 40, would spring back into someirregular open position, as indicated, for example, by the dot-dash linein FIG. 4. Although it would be possible, by subjecting it toappropriate pressure, to force the closing flap 32 into the locked openposition, shown in FIG. 5, under the latch boss 44, this will presumablynot normally be done by the user due to the time delay and intricacyassociated therewith. Consequently, the irregular position of theclosing flaps 32 in the opened state will offer a less appealing sight.The invention overcomes this drawback by virtue of the fact that,following coupling of the coupling end of the toothbrush handle to thecoupling end 28 of the brushhead 22 situated in the container 24, 25 ofthe brush magazine 20, the closing flap 32, as the brushhead 22 ispulled out, is automatically forced by the lower longitudinal border 50of the brush base 26 under the latch boss 44 into the fully openposition and is locked by the latch boss 44 in this open position. Thisis possible because, conventionally, the toothbrush neck exhibits across-section which is dimensioned smaller than the width of the brushbase 26. In order to prevent injuries when the teeth are cleaned, agradual transition from the toothbrush neck to the full width of thebrush base 26 is always however provided, as shown by the arc-shapedsections 29 in FIG. 4. Consequently, the lower arc-shaped section 29offers a sloping surface which causes the free edge of the closing flap32, in undergoing slight elastic deformation, to engage across over andunder the latch boss 44. In this way, automatic locking in theconstantly identical open position is guaranteed in respect of eachclosing flap 32 of each container of the brushhead magazine 20, so thatthe magazine, even in a state in which one or more or even allcontainers are opened, nevertheless makes a respectable, orderlyimpression which substantially enhances the acceptability of a brushheadmagazine of this type amongst consumers.

The cassette 70 is represented in more detail in FIGS. 6 to 9. FIG. 6shows that a front wall 72 surrounds the container openings 30 and formsa gluing surface 77 for the front wall 64, containing the closing flaps32, of the cardboard section 62. At the same time, it can be seen thatthe cassette 70 is open on the underside. As a result, the magazine base66 of the cardboard section 62 is connected by sticking only to thelower longitudinal edges of the front wall 72 and side walls 68, 74, toa small section 79 of the rear wall 76 (FIG. 9) and to the end sections84 of the container bases 46.

In addition, the rectangular cross-section of the containers 24, 25,including their openings, can be seen from FIGS. 6, 7 and 9. It isfurther apparent that the distance D₁ between the cassette side wall 74and the container side wall 69, in the event of the brushhead magazine20 being attached to a holder on a wall, makes the container 25 muchmore conveniently accessible to the user. In a similar manner, this alsoapplies to the distance D₁ between the container walls 58, 59, runningat a distance parallel to each other, of the two containers 24, 25. Inthis way, an additional gluing surface 80 for the front wall 64 is alsocreated, out of the cardboard section 62, between the two containeropenings 30. Although the cassette 70 is thus open in the downwarddirection, it exhibits, due to the continuous cover wall 78, the rearwall 76, the two side walls 68, 74 and the front wall 72, high bendingresistance and impact strength.

It is apparent from the cardboard section 62 shown in FIG. 10 that thiscan be punched, simultaneously with the target rupture lines 36 and theattenuation line 38 for the hinges 40 and the fastening holes 87 and theslots for the folds 88 and 90, out of a single longitudinal section ofan essentially dimensionally stable material 34. Consequently, it ispossible to manufacture the cardboard section 62 by a continuous processand to stick the open underside of the cassette 70 firmly to themagazine base 66 and the front wall 72 firmly to the magazine front wall64, the folds 88 and 90 being able, at the same time, to be folded overinto the transverse joint 82 or against the side wall 68 and to besimilarly stuck to these.

    ______________________________________                                        Reference symbol list                                                         ______________________________________                                        20         brushhead magazine                                                 22         brushhead                                                          24, 25     container                                                          26         brush base                                                         27         bulbous projection                                                 28         coupling end (brushhead)                                           29         arc-shaped sections                                                30         container opening                                                  31         lower border (container opening)                                   32         closing flap                                                       33         upper opening border                                               34         dimensionally stable material                                      35         vertex                                                             36         target rupture line                                                38         attenuation line                                                   40         hinge                                                              42         locking device                                                     44         latch boss                                                         46         container base                                                     48         bristle zone                                                       49         guide channel                                                      50, 52     laterally protruding longitudinal border                           51         larger spatial part                                                54         first guide rib                                                    56         front face end (guide rib)                                         58, 59     side wall                                                          60, 61     second guide rib                                                   62         cardboard section                                                  64         front border (magazine)                                            66         base (magazine)                                                    67         lower front edge                                                   68         side wall                                                          69         side wall                                                          70         cassette                                                           72         front wall                                                         73         top edge of the cassette of the magazine                           74         side wall                                                          76         rear wall                                                          77         gluing surface                                                     78         cover wall                                                         79         section                                                            80         gluing surface                                                     82         transverse joint                                                   84         end section (container base)                                       86         fastening tab                                                      87         fastening holes                                                    88         fold                                                               90         fold                                                               ______________________________________                                    

We claim:
 1. Brushhead magazine for receiving a number of brushheads,comprising a plurality of containers which lie parallel alongside oneanother in mutual separation, said containers having side walls, in eachof which containers is fully enclosed a brushhead and the height ofwhich is dimensioned to correspond approximately to the width of a brushbase of each brushhead, each container having a top side, a containeropening, said brush base having a longitudinal border, said brushheadhaving a bristle zone, a coupling end of the brushheads in each casefacing towards the container opening, which is closed by a wall ofpacking material which can be opened by a thrust movement of thecoupling end of a brush handle for attaching the brushhead to the brushhandle, characterized in that the wall exhibits, in the area of eachcontainer opening, a closing flap made from essentially dimensionallystable material, which closing flap is defined by a target rupture lineand a hinge, formed by an attenuation line in the dimensionally stablematerial, in that the closing flap, at its target rupture line isdestroyed, can be pivoted by means of the coupling end of the brushhandle about the hinge into an open position in the interior of thecontainer, and in that in each container there is disposed a lockingdevice, by means of which the closing flap can be locked in its openposition.
 2. Magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that thelocking device comprises a latch boss, which projects into the area inwhich the closing flap pivots, said area being the swivel area. 3.Magazine according to claim 2, characterized in that the latch bossrises up from a base of each container at a height which is dimensionedto correspond approximately to the width of the longitudinal border ofthe brush base, jutting laterally over a bristle zone of the brushhead.4. Magazine according to claim 3, wherein said containers have a firstguide rib, said guide rib having a front face end, and wherein the latchboss is a component part of the front face end of a first guide rib forthe brush base of a brushhead, which guide rib extends from eachcontainer base upwards parallel to the adjoining side wall of thecontainer, said adjoining side wall having a longitudinal direction anda transverse direction in the longitudinal direction of the adjoiningside wall at a distance, said guide rib being dimensioned somewhatlarger than the thickness of the brush base.
 5. Magazine according toclaim 4, wherein the first guide rib projects vertically from thecontainer base, forming a vertical plane projecting therefrom wherein inthe plane of the first guide rib, a second guide rib projects downwardsfrom the top side of each container at a height which is dimensioned tocorrespond approximately to the width of the longitudinal border of thebrush base, jutting laterally over the bristle zone of a brushhead, ofthe brush base.
 6. Magazine according to claim 1 characterized in thatthe opening of the containers is disposed at a distance above a base ofthe magazine, the containers extending obliquely down to their end anddownwards in the direction of the magazine base.
 7. Magazine accordingto claim 1 characterized in that an end section of the container basesis disposed parallel to the magazine base.
 8. Magazine according toclaim 1 wherein said magazine comprises a front wall and a base, furthercharacterized in that the material exhibiting the closing flaps for thecontainer openings comprises a cardboard section, which forms the frontwall and the base of the magazine, said cardboard section having a topend and a fold.
 9. Magazine according to claim 8 characterized in thatthe containers are a component part of a cassette which comprises afront wall enclosing the container openings said front wall furthercomprising a cover wall, a rear wall, two side walls, said walls merginginto the rear wall, said magazine further comprising a magazine base.10. Magazine according to claim 9 characterized in that the front wallof the cassette forms, an acute angle α with the magazine base, saidangle α opening toward the cassette's rear wall, whilst the cover wall,starting from the top edge of the front wall, descends down to the rearwall, into which the cover wall merges in an arc formation.
 11. Magazineaccording to claim 10, characterized in that said cover wall iscontinuous, said continuous cover wall, the side walls of each containerand the rear wall of the cassette form an outer side of the magazine,the cover wall forming the top side of the containers disposed at adistance parallel to one another.
 12. Magazine according to claim 10,characterized in that the cover wall of the cassette comprises in thearea of the top edge of the front wall, a transverse joint, the depth ofwhich corresponds approximately to the thickness of a fold in thecardboard section, which fold, at the top end of the cardboard section,is fastened in the transverse joint.
 13. Magazine according to claim 7,characterized in that the cardboard section forming the base extendsbeyond a side wall of the cassette and forms a fastening tab. 14.Magazine according to claim 13, characterized in that the side wall ofthe cassette adjoining the fastening tab is disposed at a distanceparallel to the side wall of the adjoining container, whilst the otherside wall of the cassette also forms the side wall of the adjoiningcontainer.
 15. Magazine according to claim 9 characterized in that themagazine front wall is provided on the side facing away from thefastening tab with a fold, which is fastened to the side wall of thecassette facing away from the fastening tab.
 16. Magazine according toclaim 9 characterized in that the cassette consists of plastic and ismanufactured by the injection moulding process and is connected to thecardboard section, at reciprocal contact surfaces, by sticking. 17.Process for opening a container, containing a brushhead for atoothbrush, of a brushhead magazine according to claim 1, said processcomprising interlocking the coupling ends of the brush handle and of thebrushhead, pivoting said closing flap around a hinge in the direction ofthe locking device, said closing flap thereby being locked in its openposition.